Rye Pale Ale – Cameron’s Brewing Company

So, if you’re following along, you might already know this, but indulge me.  Rye Pale Ales are kind of a big deal.  Like, maybe not quite the Merlot of the 2012 beer world, but maybe.  Time will tell.  The good news is, I’ve had 3 so far this year (I think, possibly more) and they’ve all been pretty good.  Wellington has one (review coming) that is quite nice, and Sierra Nevada put one out that is making some waves down south.  But why?  Well, we all know that beer geeks like big hoppy beers.  I think it’s fair to say we’ve maxed-out the high-hop potential (I hope), so now it’s time to expand the PA/IPA boundaries, rather then try to one-up them.  And the Rye Pale Ale is the first serious contender for expansion.  Rye in beer is nothing new (it’s actually quite old, predating the Bavarian Purity Laws).  Rye, like wheat, has no husk, so making beer with only it is nearly impossible.  It creates stuck-mashes, and while some homebrewers claim to have done it, we all know they’re probably lying and are using rice husks to keep things loose. Anyway, when added to a grain-bill, rye adds a nice spicy note, and also a super smooth creamy body.  Adding weight to hugely hoppy beers, rye, and the Rye Pale Ale style really could be the correct step in craft-beer evolution.  Survival of the fittest will surely let us know if that is the case.

Rye Pale Ale - Cameron's Brewing Company

Rye Pale Ale - Cameron's Brewing Company

From a 341ml bottle, Cameron’s Rye Pale Ale pours a hazy reddish-brown. About 1″ of thick head dropped to a film and decent ring.  Aroma is big juicy North American hops, grapefruit peels, evergreens, some spicy notes that might also be partially the rye, and herabl, tea-like undertones.  There is lovely sweet malts, caramelly and dark, and those spices that could be related to the rye in the grain bill.  This promises to be a grown-up beer. To quote George Takei “Oh my!” This tastes so good, I’m very tempted to just stop typing and drink.  Big hops that are clearly white grapefruit and lemon.  Like, disturbingly so.  Super bitter, but with a nice big dose of sweet malts to keep things in balance.  Nice spiciness is now a little more subdued, but is clear on the finish, along with a nearly sticky resinous bitterness.  And the mouthfeel!  One of the most velvety soft beers out there.  It’s carbonation is crazy small and soft, but it’s also clearly not still.  Just incredible.  The smallest touch of alcohol heat reminds you that this beer is 6.6% abv, but is nearly immediately replaced by the astringent hoppy finish.  So damn good.

C. S. Lewis once wrote a charming letter to a young aspiring author (http://www.lettersofnote.com/2012/04/c-s-lewis-on-writing.html) and gave some good advice:

Don’t use words too big for the subject. Don’t say “infinitely” when you mean “very”; otherwise you’ll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite.

I love Lewis, and I love the advice in that letter (I wish, like the Malt Imposters, I could use words in review to make you feel what I feel.  I’m working on it….).  That being said: This beer is perfect.  Perfection isn’t exclusive, but it’s a rare thing.  And Cameron’s Rye Pale Ale gets there.

About the Brewery

Cameron’s Brewing Company is a true craft brewery, passionately brewing all natural ales and lagers since 1997 in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Cameron’s is currently available at The Beer Store, select LCBO locations and on tap at numerous bars and restaurants such as Earl’s, C’est What, Stout Irish Pub, Langdon Hall, the Royal Canadian Yacht Club and more. For more information about Cameron’s and its availability, please visit  www.cameronsbrewing.com

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